Scott Neuman of MPR News reported that National Guard Troops have been activated in Massachusetts to face the national school bus driver shortage. The office of Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker, stated as many as 250 Guard Members would be made available to address staffing shortages, and as many as 90 Guards have started immediate training for service.

The announcement comes amid a shortage of school bus drivers due to ongoing pandemic battles over masks, vaccines, and unemployment status. In a recent nationwide survey half of student- transportation coordinators described their school bus driver shortages as “severe“ or “desperate”.

From New York to Montana, including your Minnesota, changes in the school bus industry have been implemented. Such as higher sign-on bonuses, adding van routes, paying parents to take their children to school, training school teachers and staff to drive, and more recently calling in the National Guard.

The start of the school year has been rough nationwide. We want to remind everyone to be patient as we work toward a solution. Thank you to ALL school bus drivers who are willingly doing everything they can to help. Many are doubling their routes, working extended hours, and encouraging family and friends to come help.

We at Northstar and American Student Transportation are doing a little better than surrounding districts like Minneapolis, St. Paul, Robbinsdale and Stillwater. We want to take this opportunity to personally Thank our drivers for their patience and staying with us during this national school bus driver crisis.